Urgh. No. Have you actually seen any of the books of critical essays on Buffy / Joss Whedon? With titles like, "Is Buffy a post-structuralist feminist pop hero or a sex toy for nerds?" That's over analysis. What people are doing on these boards is discussing the show. Which is presumably why Digital Spy set up some Dr Who Discussion Boards.

Urgh. No. Have you actually seen any of the books of critical essays on Buffy / Joss Whedon? With titles like, "Is Buffy a post-structuralist feminist pop hero or a sex toy for nerds?" That's over analysis. What people are doing on these boards is discussing the show. Which is presumably why Digital Spy set up some Dr Who Discussion Boards.

"Is The Doctor a pervert for sitting on a swingset and talking to a child?"

Urgh. No. Have you actually seen any of the books of critical essays on Buffy / Joss Whedon? With titles like, "Is Buffy a post-structuralist feminist pop hero or a sex toy for nerds?" That's over analysis. What people are doing on these boards is discussing the show. Which is presumably why Digital Spy set up some Dr Who Discussion Boards.

You've presumably not heard of "Doctor Who: The Unfolding Text" circa 1982?. I believe it may have started the trend

If anything I think a lot of the time, the immediately apparent consensus of a loud "fanlier-than-thou" element is adhered to far too blindly by newcomers and part-timers trying to ingratiate themselves with what appears to be the majority and this contributes to the proliferation of arrogance in fandom.

The trouble is, we don't know until the end of a series what's significant and what isn't, (Rory's badge? Doctor's jacket?) so every little thing is discussed to death, and it looks like over-analysis, but really, it's Moffat's fault.*